Despite disappointing samba, Sapp likely to survive on 'Dancing'

Rough times for a Florida TV critic: There are folks with Sunshine State ties on three of the highest-rated reality shows airing right now, from Tampa's Tina Hunter Greene on The Amazing Race, Naples' Ace Gordon on Survivor and former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Warren Sapp on Dancing With the Stars.

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Which means lots of time spent waiting for local notables to lose their footing.

That doesn't seem likely on this week's Dancing With the Stars, as former NFL star Sapp offered a subdued samba that forced the judges to give him his first real criticism of the contest -- even though other contestants seemed more in danger of moving to Ejectionville.

On the field, Sapp always suckered opponents who mistook his girth for a lack in speed and sure footing. That has also been his ace on Dancing, where this week he was shown popping into a handstand while clowning during rehearsals.

But Sapp's Achilles heel has always been overconfidence -- and that harmed his performance Monday, as he stepped through a lukewarm routine, expecting his charm and enthusiasm to carry the day. But judges this time weren't buying it, telling him he needed to try harder next time. Earning a score equal to eightysomething comedy relief Cloris Leachman should be inspiration enough.

He'll get the opportunity. Because Olympian Misty May-Treanor injured herself last week, no one was ejected and scores from that week are combined with this week, easing the pain of Monday's ho-hum outing.

My ejection bet's on chef Rocco DiSpirito, a good-looking guy who physically just isn't in the same league as front-runners Brooke Burke and Sapp; you can almost hear DiSpirito counting off the steps in his head during every performance.